What types of network cables are there

What types of network cables are there?
Based on the most commonly used classifications in foreign trade and engineering, we have compiled a clear, practical list of network cable types that can be directly applied to products and quotations for you:

1. By transmission performance / category (most core)
Cat5e Super 5 Category Network Cable
Rate: 1 Gbps
Usage: Ordinary household, surveillance, old projects
Export commonly used: Unshielded UTP
Cat6 Six Category Network Cable
Rate: 1 Gbps (supports short-distance 10 Gigabit)
With a cross-frame structure, stronger anti-interference
Usage: Enterprise office, weak current projects, data center
Cat6A Super Six Category Network Cable
Rate: 10 Gbps
Main force for AI data centers, 10 Gigabit local area networks
Export bestseller, divided into UTP / FTP / STP
Cat7 Seven Category Network Cable
Rate: 10 Gbps
Fully shielded S/FTP, extremely strong anti-interference
Industrial, data center, high-end wiring
Cat8 Eight Category Network Cable
Rate: 25 Gbps / 40 Gbps
Short-distance high-speed, dedicated for AI data centers
Highest shielding level, high price
2. By shielding structure (must know for export)
UTP Unshielded Network Cable
No shielding layer, cheap, easy to install
For household, ordinary environment
FTP Fully Shielded
The entire line is wrapped with a layer of aluminum foil
Moderate anti-interference, commonly used in commercial environments
SFTP / S/FTP Double-layer Shielding
Each pair of wires is separately shielded + overall shielding
The first choice for industrial, data center, strong interference environments
STP Independent Shielding
Each pair of wires is separately shielded
Commonly used in high-end projects, six and eight category
3. By conductor material
Pure oxygen-free copper (OFC / CCA pure copper)
Low resistance, long transmission, in line with national standards
High-quality single for export and engineering
Copper-clad aluminum (CCA)
Low price, high resistance
Only for short distances, not suitable for above 10 Gigabit
Copper-clad steel
Cheap, poor quality, basically obsolete
4. By usage scenarios
Indoor Network Cable
PVC / LSZH Outer Skin
Office, home, data center
Outdoor water-resistant network cable
Waterproof, sun protection, anti-aging
Aerial, underground, outdoor surveillance
Industrial Network Cable
Resistant to bending, oil, high and low temperatures
Used for Profinet, EtherCAT, etc. industrial Ethernet
High-speed copper cable DAC
10 Gigabit / 40G / 100G high-speed connection in cabinets
Special for AI data center internal jumpers
5. By outer skin environmental protection level
PVC Ordinary Outer Skin
LSZH Low-smoke, low-halogen
Fireproof, non-toxic smoke, mandatory requirements in data centers, subways, shopping malls
High-end single commonly used for export in the field